Ohtani posted a 4-2 record with a 3.31 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 11 Ks per nine innings, but injured the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and did not pitch after June 6. At the plate, the designated hitter hit 22 home runs and slashed .285/.361/.564 in 326 at-bats.

New York Yankees third baseman Miguel Andujar was second in the balloting, earning the five remaining first-place votes. Andujar hit 27 home runs, posted a .866 OPS and had 47 doubles, tied for third-most in baseball.

Andujar's New York team-mate Gleyber Torres finished third in the balloting, followed by Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Joey Wendle, Daniel Palka of the Chicago White Sox and Ryan Yarbrough of the Rays. No player was listed on every ballot.

Ohtani is the third Angels player to claim Rookie of the Year honours, joining Tim Salmon (1993) and Mike Trout (2012).